Allevia "Dolly" Louise Gillespie, 85, of Spearfish, passed away on December 24, 2014 at Kindred Nursing and Rehab Center in Riverton, WY, where she had been a resident for the past 13 months.

Allevia Gillespie was born May 30, 1929 in Phillip, SD to Roy and Laura Royer. She was the center of their lives, as well as to her great-grandparents, Robert and Minnie Hanrahan. She was raised on the family ranch north of Phillip. She graduated from St. Martin's Academy in Sturgis, SD in 1947. She attended Black Hills Teacher's College for a year during which time she met her husband, Gordon. They were married on Nov. 12, 1948 in MIlesville, SD. As she and her mom were both only children, she said she would like to have a dozen children, six for herself and another six for her mama. She did her best and had seven children whom they raised in Spearfish.

While Dolly never had a paying job, she was a very hardworking wife and mother. She was involved in the VFW Auxiliary in her younger years as well as an active member in the Catholic Church while raising her children, serving with St Joseph's Altar Society and singing Latin solos at many funerals. She was always willing to serve a meal to anyone who stopped by to visit at her Upper Valley home for over fifty-three years. She was known for the milk and cream she sold, as well as for her special caramel rolls. She was always the one to go to when family picnics and get-togethers needed to be organized. She was an enthusiastic bowler and enjoyed being the secretary of many leagues. After her children were out of the house, she kept her hands constantly busy by sewing quilts, crocheting, knitting, and crafting plastic canvas angels, snowflakes, and Christmas ornaments. She made sure friends and family members were gifted many of these creative items over the years.

Allevia is survived by her sons, Gerald (Mineko) of Salina, KS, Roger (Sandy) of Whitewood and Jason (Nicky) of Gillette, WY; her daughters, Debra Fustos of Riverton, WY, Phyllis (Terry) Zenk of Riverton, WY and Barb (Larry) Deibert, of Spearfish; 15 grandchildren, Clint, Shannon, Steve, Carmen, Casey, Cassie, Gen, Kenya, Danielle, Kelsey, Abbey, Tyler, Zachary, Tazmine, Blakelee; 12 great-grandchildren, Wyatt, McKaya, Whitney, Cody, Keeley, Brinley, Paige, Cameron, Jared, Kylee, Audrie, Alex; brothers-in-law, Robert Gillespie of Belle Fourche, Paul (Mary) Gillespie of Houston, TX,; many nieces and nephews; a special cousin Merle (Viola) Royer of Belle Fourche as well as other cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon, a son, Keith, and her parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00am, Friday, January 2, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish, with visitation one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish.

A memorial in honor and memory of Allevia will be set up by the family or you may give a memorial to a charity of your choice. Correspondence with her family may be sent to Box 396, Whitewood, SD 57793.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels & Crematory Service of Spearfish.